Newbie needs help choosing a Controller

When choosing a controller, first you need to decide which software you will be using as different controllers have different features depending on which software they are designed to be used for.

The main choices out there are Traktor, Serato, Virtual DJ and Cross DJ.

Once you have made a choice (they all have demo versions – apart from serato as you need a specific type of audio interface – so you can download them and try them out) then you should find that your job becomes much easier 🙂

On a different note – those headphones are good. They are what I use when I am DJing/Producing and I cannot recommend them more. BUT headphones are a very personal thing – ones that are comfy on my head may not be comfy on yours – so I recommend trying before you buy (Or at least getting them from a site you can send them back to if they aren’t comfy).

And when you come to get speakers, I recommend getting some Active speakers (with the amp built in) – most monitor speakers have this nowadays and roughly half/half in the PA Speaker market – the Alto speakers that were reviewed earlier this week on here may be an option??

bob6397

All in one controllers come with a sound card built in. I would advise you to take your time and read the dj controllers guide you found because it’s probably the best guide currently in existence.
As for the kit you want, Denon, Numark and Reloop all make excellent controllers that are well made and good value. Pioneer are good but you pay extra for the name in my opinion.

Yes – you should choose software then controller.

Most controllers come with soundcards come in – this includes most all-in-one type controllers and some modular type controllers. (Including all the ones that Vintage mentioned)

BUT at the lower end of the scale, some controllers do not have a built in interface – I would avoid these for what you want to do. (Notably this is the Numark Mixtrack (NOT PRO)). The way to tell is basically this – if a controller has sound outputs on it, it has an interface built in. Easy 🙂

Sometimes people use external soundcards to enable DVS systems to work properly – Traktor and Serato both have to use either their soundcard or a certified soundcard for this system to work – this may be what you have heard of. This is becoming less popular now as more and more controllers are being certified as being DVS compatible 🙂

bob6397

Hey guys it’s the OP. I had to register a new name because I forgot my pw.

How does everyone feel about the Vestax 380? They are around $400 right now because the company is no longer around. This review calls them the ultimate two deck controller
http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2012/05/review-video-vestax-vci-380-serato-itch-dj-controller/

I have music stored on an external HD. Will it be a problem when I use my controller if I just connect the HD to my laptop and work with the music that way?

BTW. This was the 2012 review … we ARE almost three years down the line. I don’t think it would earn that reputation in today’s field.